FALL RIVER — On Thursday, members of a group aiming to recall Mayor Will Flanagan delivered the first batch of signatures to the City Clerk for certification. And some of those signatures were penned by members of the City Council.

Councilor Jasiel Correia II said he signed the petition after the Aug. 12 City Council meeting at which a number of recall supporters addressed the council during public input.

Correia said he approached one of the organizers after the meeting.

“They explained their mission, and I think the people made some good points,” Correia said.

The recall group alleges Flanagan failed his fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers and residents after leading the city into a deficit and increasing taxes and fees including the new pay-as-you-throw program, among other complaints.

Looking at the facts, Correia said, the group should have the opportunity to make the mayor accountable.

“I made the decision to sign after hearing them. They are constituents, and it is their legal right to do it,” Correia said.

Councilor Linda Pereira said she signed a petition last week when she was approached by a recall volunteer outside of Job Lot.

“Honestly, I feel people have the right to put issues on the ballot,” Pereira said.

However, other councilors told The Herald News they don’t believe it is their place as elected officials to support a recall initiative.

Councilor Paul DaSilva said the group has a legal right to push for the recall effort but that for a councilor to participate “sends the wrong message.”

“This is Fall River, not Washington, D.C., with its gridlock,” DaSilva said. “Politics is the art of compromise, and we need to work together. And we can disagree, but we can’t let the community grind to a halt. We need to do what is in the best interest of the city.”

If the recall group is successful in getting the needed 2,459 certified signatures, Councilor Leo Pelletier said he will participate in the process as a member of the council charged with scheduling a recall election within 60 days. But he won’t be signing a petition, he said.

“It’s the people who should be leading the recall. I don’t want to sign,” Pelletier said.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Councilor Raymond Mitchell, who also said he would not sign the petition, though he said he would participate in his role as a city councilor.

Like DaSilva, President Joseph Camara said his participation would send the wrong message.

“I don’t agree with his policies like pay raises and pay-as-you-throw, but I don’t think this is good for the community. It divides the community,” Camara said.

Page 2 of 2 - The window of 60 days to take the issue to a vote if the recall procedure is successful is too short, Camara said, and doesn’t give people who want to run for office enough time.

“It’s not the proper forum,” Camara said.

Councilor Michael Miozza said he’s not been approached yet to sign the petition but would have no problem signing for the recall campaign.

“It would be to get a question on the ballot, and it’s no different than my charter review effort. It wouldn’t be a signature to get rid of Will Flanagan,” Miozza said.

Councilors Pat Casey and Daniel Rego did not return request for comment by early Friday evening.